The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA: VWO) saw a significant decline in short interest during December 2023. As of December 31, short interest totaled 14,664,103 shares, marking a notable 28.5% decrease from the 20,508,579 shares recorded on December 15. This reduction indicates that approximately 0.7% of the ETF’s total shares were sold short. The current short-interest ratio stands at 1.4 days, calculated based on an average daily trading volume of 10,196,117 shares.
During mid-day trading on Friday, VWO’s stock price decreased by $0.34, bringing it to $56.00. The trading volume reached 12,320,672 shares, still below its average of 14,551,035 shares. Over the past year, the ETF has fluctuated between a low of $39.53 and a high of $56.57. Currently, the ETF’s fifty-day simple moving average is $54.39, while the two-hundred-day average is $53.15. With a market capitalization of $110.05 billion, the ETF maintains a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.08 and a beta of 0.55.
Institutional Investment Activity
Several institutional investors have adjusted their positions in the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF recently. Notably, Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings by 104.6% during the second quarter, now owning 13,246,257 shares valued at $650,661,000 after acquiring an additional 6,773,228 shares.
Another significant change came from Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, which boosted its holdings by an astonishing 4,672.3% in the same quarter, resulting in ownership of 3,304,750 shares worth $163,453,000 after purchasing 3,235,502 shares.
Additionally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its stake by 4.5% during the third quarter, now holding 74,834,185 shares valued at $4,054,516,000. Similarly, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings by 4.5% in the second quarter, owning 74,185,538 shares worth $3,669,217,000 after acquiring an extra 3,194,696 shares.
Lastly, Jasper Ridge Partners L.P. raised its position by 85.9% during the second quarter, now controlling 6,256,903 shares valued at $309,466,000 after an additional purchase of 2,891,204 shares. Currently, hedge funds and other institutional investors hold 67.19% of the ETF’s stock.
About Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF
The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF aims to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, which measures the returns of stocks issued by companies in emerging market countries. This ETF provides investors with a diversified exposure to these markets, reflecting the dynamics of the global economy.
With recent adjustments in short interest and significant institutional investment activity, the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF continues to attract attention in the financial markets.
